Southern University and A&M College is a comprehensive institution offering four-year, graduate, professional, and doctorate degree programs, fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The University today is part of the only historically black Land Grant university system in the United States.

Southern University and A&M College is a comprehensive institution offering four-year, graduate, professional, and doctorate degree programs, fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The University today is part of the only historically black Land Grant university system in the United States.

M-9 Advances to Semifinal Round

The votes are in and Southern University's student section, M-9, has advanced to the semifinal round of the second annual Naismith Student Section of the Year Award contest.

M-9 has also been named the Southwestern Athletic Conference best student section and Southern will receive $250 toward its general scholarship fund.

Beginning with a total of 158 participating institutions, the contest now enters the semifinal round with only 16 institutions eligible to take home the top prize. As one of the top college basketball student sections in the country, the Southern is asking for fan support to help M-9 win the prestigious title. Jaguar nation will now have a say in determining the most deserving student section by voting for the Naismith Student Section of the Year Award.

How to Cast a Semifinal Round Vote:

By visiting www.facebook.com/ILoveCollegeHoops, Southern fans can vote for M-9 as the top student section in college basketball. Semifinal round voting, which has been reset to zero for the 16 semifinalists, is open now through Feb. 22, 2013. Fans can vote once per day.

The top eight recipients from the semifinal round of public votes will be sent to the Naismith Awards Board of Selectors for a final vote. The Naismith Awards Board of Selectors will review criteria such as the student section's name and attendance, the total fan vote, as well as photos, video, and a write-up submitted by the nominating school which will aid in determine the winning student section. Complete details on the selection process can be found at facebook.com/ilovecollegehoops.

The winning student section gets bragging rights, while the winning institution will receive $10,000 to be used in its general scholarship fund.